Hey, L.A. Here!

Finally, right? Heh, heh... Sorry. Besides the whole move thing (which is finally over, yay!), I also suffered from an extreme case of Writer's Block. For all of you out there that are writers yourselves, you know how much that sucks. And for those of you who are loyal readers, believe us; it sucks! Lol.

Anyway... I believe that this is the longest chapter I have ever written for this story. With good reason, however. This is my farewell to Lysi!

Well, for this story anyway... for those of you who actually liked Lysi (haha, right?), or would like to read more about her and her adventures, you will be pleased to know that I am in the middle of planning a story for just her.Well, for themost part... Sesshomaru plays a majorrole also...However,it probablywon't be in production untilthis story and CarnivorousCanines are complete. But hey, something to look forward to, right?

Alrighty! Now,on with the chapter...

The Truth Behind Their Eyes

Chapter 20: The Web Unravels

Disclaimer: I hold no claim over the characters of "InuYasha." I only own the Wonderful Lysi Shyti.

InuYasha's ears pricked as he suddenly sensed a change in the air. It didn't take him long to realize what was wrong; a certain scent was missing. "Kagome!" He whispered as he took off toward the well.

Miroku stood slack-jawed as Sango finished her hurried tale of Lysi's and Koga's meeting. The shock, however, quickly vanished as anger took over.

"I knew she was bad news from the start!" He growled as he stormed out of the bustling village. Sango followed quickly, hoping that Miroku knew what to do.

Lysi chuckled as InuYasha's scent surrounded her. He was coming toward her, and quickly. She knew exactly where he was going, and had the perfect plan to stop him.

"InuYasha!" She cried from her small hiding place as he rushed past her. He stumbled to a stop, and quickly glanced behind him.

"Not now, Lysi!" He called to her. "I gotta get to Kagome!" With that, he turned to continue his hasty pursuit. However, the sorrow in Lysi's next words halted him.

"She's what I need to speak to you about..."

Kagome let out yet another gut wrenching sob into her soggy pillow. She didn't know how long she had been curled up, her pillow pressed to her face, crying like she would die, and she didn't care. For her, her world seemed over. All her hopes had been crushed by Lysi's harsh words. Her love wasn't enough; she wasn't worth InuYasha, and she never would be...

These thoughts only served to make her cry harder, and she would have rolled over and cried herself to sleep for the night if it wasn't for the soft knock on her bedroom door.

"Kagome?" Her mother's soft, caring voice called to her. "Are you okay, Sweetheart?"

Kagome sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Y-yeah." She called out weakly, sounding worse than she had meant to.

"May I come in?" Her mother inquired, worry now lacing her words.

Kagome agreed, and the door was pushed open to reveal her mother's caring face. Instantly, she was beside her daughter, and a second later, cradling her against her. "What is wrong?" She softly cooed.

"Oh, mama!" Kagome whimpered. The sobs then became anew as she wept and told her mother what had happened. Once she was finished, her mother frowned. "Sounds like this girl is a bit jealous, if you ask me."

"Really?" Kagome asked, this thought having never crossed her mind. Lysi seemed like such an innocent, truthful girl. Then again, she was a demon...

Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's soft sigh. She glanced up, and her mother smiled. "You want to know what would be best for you right now?" After receiving a nod from her daughter, she continued. "I night out with some friends. Eri had been wondering about you, and Hojo has been asking about you also. Why don't you freshen up, and call one of them up? It'll do you some good." Kagome's mother then placed a loving kiss on her daughter's forehead, and let herself out.

Kagome sighed and wiped a few more tears from her cheeks. Her mother was right... going out did sound nice. She thought about going out with the girls, but quickly banished the thought. All they would want to hear about would be InuYasha and Koga; and it was pretty safe to say that she did not want to discuss those matters at the moment. Hojo, however...

Kagome smiled for the first time in what seemed like weeks, and started to get ready.

"What do you mean, she's never coming back?" InuYasha questioned the inuyoukai before him.

"That is what she said, right after accusing me..." Lysi cut herself off, reigning a shy expression as she worried her bottom lip.

"Accused you of what?" InuYasha asked, completely taken in by Lysi's lies.

"That I... was stealing you away from her..." Lysi answered softly, keeping her sharp eyes to the ground, not having to look at the hanyou to know his reaction.

"What!" He cried out, totally shocked.

"I know, I thought the same!" Lysi exclaimed, stepping closer to InuYasha, in what seemed to be a gesture to try and comfort or calm him. She brought her eyes to his, worry and confusion clouding them. "I didn't know what she was talking about, but she wouldn't explain herself to me... She simply said what she had to say, and took off! She wouldn't even listen to me..."Lysi looked around, again feigning innocence. "Should we go look for her?"

InuYasha sighed, and hung his head. "No..." He answered softly. "She'll come back herself." 'I hope.' He added to himself. InuYasha gently took Lysi's arm, and started to lead her away. "Let's wait at the camp for the others..." He suggested, his words full of regret and worry.

Myoga quickly hopped toward the nearby village. After witnessing what he had, he knew he couldn't immediately go to InuYasha. He would never listen to just a flea... but, he may listen to a flea and a certain monk and a demon slayer...

Kagome sighed softly as she flopped on the couch to wait for Hojo. He had immediately agreed to her suggestion of a date, and would be there in a half hour. For that time, Kagome sat and fussed with her hair, her pink skirt and white tank top.

Finally, there was a knock at the door, and she jumped up to answer it. She was more excited about this than she realized, and laughed at herself a little. 'I do need to get out more...' She told herself as she opened the door. She smiled at what she saw. There was Hojo, looking prim and proper in a nice pair of black slacks, and a pressed gray short sleeve shirt. In his hand was a lovely bouquet, which he graciously offered her.

"Lovely flowers for a lovely girl." He said, a friendly smile upon his face. Kagome giggled softly and took the flowers.

"Why, thank you Hojo. They are very nice. Let me get them in some water, and we can go." Hojo nodded, and Kagome went to the kitchen. She found a vase, and arranged the flowers in it. Once she was satisfied, she went back to Hojo.

"Let's go have some fun!" She said as she took his hand and led him out. 'And, hopefully forget about the feudal era for a while...' She silently hoped.

Miroku finally caught sight of the camp site, and hurried forward with renewed vigor. Suddenly, he felt something bounce on his shoulder. Giving a quick glance, he saw a large flea. "Myoga!" He exclaimed as he skid to a stop. "Where have you been? You won't believe what I have to tell you!"

"Nor you what I have heard..." The old flea responded.

Kagome faked yet another smile as Hojo came running up with a large stuffed animal in his arms.

"Here ya go, Kagome! I thought you would like it. It took me forever to win it, but I got it!" He babbled excitedly as he handed the toy over to her. Kagome thanked him, and set the animal on the bench, beside her.

"So, what would you like to do next?" Hojo asked politely, seating himself on her other side.

Kagome cocked her head to the side, acting as if she were thinking. In reality, she hadn't been able to get InuYasha, or Lysi, off her mind since Hojo had picked her up, half an hour ago. Finally, she sighed and turned to Hojo.

"Hojo, I thank you for doing this for me, but..." She stopped and bit her lip. She didn't know how to go on. She frowned and looked up at Hojo, but to her surprise he didn't look put out at all. Instead, completely understanding.

"You're still sick, aren't you?" He asked caringly.

Kagome blinked at the question, but then sighed and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. It's just that...I'm... confused about something."

"Oh, okay." Hojo replied, a knowing smirk replacing the earlier frown. "Why don't you tell me about it? Maybe I can help..."

Kagome frowned, not sure if she should. However, Hojo's calm and caring demeanor changed her mind, and she began to tell him what was worrying her.

Miroku narrowed his eyes as he walked into camp. There, beside the small brook that out skirted their camp, sat InuYasha and Lysi. Nothing less than what he'd expected. When he and Sango entered the camp, Lysi sat up from her position on InuYasha's side, and looked back at them. For a moment, Miroku was sure that he saw an evil gleam shine in the depths of her eyes, but before he could ponder it, they returned to the deep, friendly green they always were.

"Hello guys. What's going on?" Lysi asked gently.

Despite the anger boiling beneath the surface, Miroku was able to keep a calm demeanor. "Nothing much. Myoga and I need to talk to InuYasha." At the small quirk of her eyebrow, Miroku chuckled and continued on. "Just some guy talk is all. Nothing serious."

At that, Lysi nodded and stood from the ground. After giving InuYasha what looked like a loving pat on the shoulder, she left his side. "Come on, Sango." She said coolly. "Let's let the boys have their gossip time." At this she laughed softly, then grabbed Sango's hand like they were the best of friends and led her out of the camp, toward the village.

Kagome looked up at Hojo curiously. She had just finished telling him her story, since that was exactly what she had made it out to be; nothing but a story she had heard, and was confused over.

Hojo sighed a little, then chuckled softly, catching Kagome slightly off guard.

"Ya know, that sounds very much like what happened to me last year." He informed her. Kagome rose her eyebrow ever so slightly. She severely doubted that he had gone through anything remotely similar to what she had,but she decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

"Really?" She replied, attempting to humor him. "What happened, and how did you handle it?"

"Well, you see... it started at the beginning of the school year, when I decided that I wanted to play football." He began. "This boy, who was a grade ahead of me and the star player, thought that I wasn't 'worthy' of the team. So, he tried everything to intimate me enough so that I'd quit. At first, I thought he was right, and I decided to quit the team. However," He turned to Kagome, and took her hands. "The coach knew what the boy was up to, and when I went to tell him my decision, he explained to me that I couldn't let him get to me, and I had to believe in my own talents. I saw that he was right, and the next day I stood up to that boy; told him that I knew I was good enough for the team, and that was all that mattered. And, well the rest is history." Hojo smiled at Kagome as he finished his tale. "You see, Kagome, you can't let others push you around, or tell you what you are or aren't. The only person that knows these things is you. Remember that."

With that, Hojo placed a soft kiss to her cheek, gave her hands a squeeze, and stood to walk away. Kagome blinked a bit at his last words. 'How did he...' She called out to him, about to voice her question, but before she was able to, he turned back to her.

"Oh, and Kagome, if it doesn't work out with him, I'll always be here for you, okay?" Then, he smiled, and walked away.

Kagome blinked again, taken back, but only momentarily. She then smiled and hugged her bear to her chest as she watched her star player walk away.

Lysi sensed something was up, and kept glancing back at the camp site. Finally, unable to bare it any longer,she pulled Sango to a halt.

"Um, sorry Sango-Chan, but I forgot something. I need to go back." She turned to leave, but was halted by Sango's hands.

"Wait, Lysi-Chan," Sango inwardly cringed at having to speak that title, almost as badly as she had when she had heard it directed toward her. "We cannot go back. The boys, um..." Sango struggled with her words, unable to think of a proper lie.

Finally, she stared up into the inuyoukai's eyes, the hatred she held toward her finally showing. "We know what you're planning, Lysi." She growled, her grip tightening on the girl's wrists. Lysi's eyes widened a little, still playing the innocent act. Sango continued. "We know what you're trying to do to Kagome and InuYasha, and we won't let you get away with it!" Sango shouted the last words in the dog-demon's face.

Lysi blinked a couple times at the demon slayer's outburst, then simply laughed. She laughed so hard, tears came to her eyes. It was Sango's turn to blink in confusion, but the feeling only lasted a few moments. For, Lysi harshly whipped her hands out of the human's grasp, and glared at her.

"Do you truly believe that a measly demon slayer, along with her pathetic monk and a tiny kitsune can keep me from what I want?" The words were growled with such anger and hatred, Sango was momentarily taken back.

However, she immediately regained her senses. "Yes." She snapped in response. "Along with a miko and a hanyou. You'll never get away with this, for Miroku and Myoga are telling InuYasha of your scheme right now!"

Lysi growled dangerously low at this news. Sango wasn't able to tell if it was more out of anger, or fear. She didn't have much time to ponder this, however, for suddenly her world went black.

Lysi glared down at the fallen slayer, debating for a brief moment whether to finish her off or not. Instead, she immediately headed back to the camp, hoping beyond hope that she still had a chance to keep her plan from falling apart.

Getting to the camp's end in mere seconds, Lysi knelt down just outside the clearing, and listened.

"Is this true?" InuYasha's voice could be heard, but instead of his usual loud, mocking tone, anger tinged his words.

"Yes, Lord InuYasha!" Myoga answered. "Every word of it! I overheard the girl berating Kagome just outside this clearing."

"And Sango heard her conspiring with Koga earlier this morning." Lysi heard the monk speak. "Please, InuYasha. Lysi is no good, we must send her on her way before it's too late."

"If we're not already too late..." A small voice piped up, belonging to Shippo.

Lysi saw red as she heard these ending statements to their conversation. Without even waiting to hear InuYasha's reply, she silently took off into the late afternoon, anger and betrayal filling her black heart.

Kagome bit her lip softly as she stood next to the lip of the well. She was already giving second thoughts to her actions. Taking a deep breath, she pushed back all doubts, and leaped into the well.

Lysi growled again, the loud, anguish-filled sound echoing through the woods as she raced through them, searching for anything to take her anger out on. Suddenly, a peculiar, hated smell tickled her nose, and she grinned murderously as she changed her route, heading toward the Bone Eater's Well.

Kagome sighed as she pulled herself out of the well. She sat against the edge, and took a deep breath of the cool, refreshing air. Letting her eyes close, she leaned her head back against the cool wood, trying to clear her head and steel her emotions. She had to let InuYasha know how she felt...

Suddenly, Kagome sensed a familiar youkai approaching. However, it didn't feel friendly. A sudden rustle of bushes to her right startled her, and she whipped around to see Lysi standing only a few yards from her. The miko frowned, and slowly stood up, staring back at the inuyoukai.

A few moments of silence past, then Kagome spoke.

"Lysi."

The single word held all the anger and hatred the young girl held for the demon in front of her, plus all the anguish and pain that she had caused her to endure.

From where Kagome stood, she could see the inuyoukai's lips twist into a sadistic grin.

"Kagome." She answered.

Kagome felt as if Lysi had held up a mirror to her feelings. For, not only did her spoken name carry the expected hatred and anger, but also sadness, regret, sorrow... along with the reflected anguish and pain.

Before Kagome had time to pity Lysi, however, her attention was drawn back to the present by a peculiar whistling sound. Following her instincts, she ducked to the ground, barely in time for a small metal fan to fly past her. Lysi chuckled, and Kagome immediately looked back at her, just as the girl caught the weapon as it circled back.

"Prepare yourself, Miko..." The angry inuyoukai growled as she pulled a hair pin from her ebony locks. With a small flick of her fingers, it spread out to become another deadly metal fan. Before Kagome could answer, both fans were coming at her.

InuYasha growled deep in his throat as he stalked from the camp site. Soon after Miroku and Myoga had delivered their tales, he had decided to settle this once and for all. He would find Lysi, and get the truth from her, by force if necessary.

Sniffing the air, he sensed both Lysi and Kagome. 'Ah, so she came back.' The thought soothed his heart a little, but before he could get too comfortable, blood suddenly accompanied the scent of the two girls, along with a scream. Wasting no time, InuYasha immediately dashed toward the Bone Eater's Well.

Kagome gasped as one of Lysi's fans slashed her shoulder. Her leg and cheek were already bleeding, along with her left hand. They weren't deep cuts meant to kill, only stinging slashes deep enough to scar. Kagome realized that Lysi didn't mean to get rid of her, but only to torture her. Her blood ran cold at this thought, then she quickly searched the ground for her dropped arrows. Gripping the bow that was already in her hand, she dived for the discarded quiver.

Suddenly, she screamed as she felt someone jump on her and she was whipped around before she could reach her weapons. Looking up at Lysi, who sat squarely on her stomach, Kagome gasped. The inuyoukai gripped two fans in her hands and Kagome shrunk back in terror. However, instead of beginning to carve into Kagome's flesh, like the frightened miko expected her to, Lysi simply folded the fans and pinned her hair back up. Then, just as Kagome was breathing a sigh of relief, the demon glared down at her.

"I wouldn't be relieved just yet..." She hissed as the nails on her right hand began to glow green.

InuYasha burst into the clearing that held the well, and gasped at what awaited him. There, a few feet from the well's entrance, Lysi held Kagome pinned to the ground. InuYasha could see a few of the wounds Kagome had suffered, and growled angrily. Then, he noticed that Lysi held her right hand high, and her nails pulsed with green acid. He gasped again, then growled Lysi's name.

The growled warning effectively halted the female dog-demon, and she whipped her head toward him, her nails only several inches from Kagome's heart, the acid dripping to the ground scant inches from Kagome's arm.

"InuYasha."Lysi breathed as her eyes rested on him. She immediately jumped to her feet, and her mask was quickly set in place. However, InuYasha had already seen the pure evil that had been present on her face only moments ago, along with her actions. Miroku's and Myoga's words suddenly rang true, and he let out a furious bark as he raced toward her.

"How Dare YOU!" He seethed as he swung his claws at her face.

However, the young, lithe inuyoukai dodged his attack easily, and turned sorrowful eyes on him as he tumbled past her.

"Because I loved you..." She answered. Her voice suddenly sounded feathery, and he looked back at see her fading. "Goodbye, InuYasha. I am sorry." With that, a single tear fell to the ground near Kagome, then she completely faded.

InuYasha blinked as he watched the inuyoukai that he had so blindly believed in fade away, but then immediately turned his attention to Kagome. She laid on the ground where Lysi had left her, her breathing coming in short puffs. Her wounds were still leaking blood, and InuYasha realized that whatever Lysi had used to cut her must have been laced with her acid. He quickly picked her up, holding her close, and sprinted toward the camp, his sorrow deepening in his heart.

Lysi watched the pair flee from a vantage point in a tall tree. She sighed and turned away, knowing that her cause was lost. "I tried..." She whispered to herself, combing her nails through her thick, black hair. "I tried..." As she passed her fingers through the soft locks, her tears continued to fall.

InuYasha arrived at camp to find Miroku helping Sango nurse a bump on her head. Shippo and Myoga were also at their side.

He quickly set Kagome on the ground, and fetched her first aid kit. She was shivering, despite the warm afternoon.

"Kagome, try to stay awake!" He told her urgently, as he fumbled with the ointment that she always insisted on using on his cuts. He got a small nod in response. Finally getting the lid off the tube, he proceeded to spread the foul-smelling ooze onto Kagome's wounds. Shippo came over to help, and began bandaging the wounds that InuYasha had already cared for. Once they were finished, InuYasha glanced up at Kagome. Despite their fine job, her cuts were still bleeding, and she was on the verge of unconsciencenss.

"No, Kagome!" InuYasha yelped, pulling her to him. "Please, don't die! It's all my fault, I never should have trusted her! Please, I need you!" He pulled her to his chest, and proceeded to whisper to her, tears falling down his cheeks. Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder, and he looked up to see Miroku holding a small flask out to him. InuYasha took it, but gave the monk a confused look.

"Help her drink it. It'll get rid of the poison." Miroku answered, kneeling down and pulling Kagome out of InuYasha's arms, and laying her on his lap. "Hurry, we haven't much time."

The hanyou quickly obliged, and poured the sticky liquid carefully down Kagome's throat. With the last of her strength, the miko swallowed, then slipped into the awaiting darkness.

"She'll be alright, won't she?" Shippo asked in a small voice, staring down at Kagome. The small fox spoke what was on all their minds, and all Miroku could do was nod. They all felt responsible, in some way, for their friend's condition. If only they had noticed Lysi's behavior sooner, or had brought attention to it instead of waiting.

InuYasha, feeling the heaviest guilt, turned away from the group. For a moment, he considered leaving, but knew that it would only worry Kagome more once she awoke. After all that he had put her through, the least he could do was wait at her side. Making up his mind, InuYasha covered Kagome up, making her as comfortable as he possibly could, then curled up at the base of a tree, only a few feet from his miko.

Whew... that was one long chapter! Hope everyone enjoyed it... However, I wouldn't be relaxing just yet. Lysi was only an appetizer... the worst has yet to come /Mawwa haha... /

Ahem, heh heh... Thank you everyone who reviewed! I am very glad that you are all enjoying this story.

toots

InuYasha Fan

stitched angel

Aria-Wolfstar

Snoochie

TheDarkAngel101

Monsterchild

darkestflare

inuyashagal

palikani

Roses of Chaos

Well, until next time!

Much Love,

L.A.

P.S. Please review, and let me know what you thought about this chapter!